New York, NY – November 2016 / Renay Elle Morris / photopresseimages.com

New York City is a fabulous place to be especially if you are a photo enthusiast. The recent PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo (October 19-22) offered an amazing, well-defined image-based agenda that captured the attention of shooters worldwide. Welcoming over 21,000 image-makers, the event, held yearly at NYC’s Javits Convention Center, did not disappoint. Those eager to set eyes on a never-ending assortment of new cameras and equipment, software and hardware, and a bevy of top-of- the line digital capture products ready for market, had the opportunity to participate in a series of talks and walks, workshops, product demonstrations, lectures and portfolio reviews _ all designed for the amateur as well as the pro.

A crowd pleaser for sure, was a “Keynote Conversation” featuring two icons in music and photography. Rock legend Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) revealed private thoughts and public commentaries on the music industry and his love of the photographic medium with Rolling Stone’s chief photographer, and musician himself, Mark Seliger. And with Seliger, can it get any better? The two, relaxed and unrehearsed, captured the audience’s attention with an impressive and spontaneous delivery of ideas and thoughts about both mediums. Nash, years before he garnered fame as a rock icon, held his first camera as a child and never lost interest. Storytelling was a big part of the conversation while his images were displayed on 2 large screens. They were poignant and deeply personal, and reflected the sensitivity of an artist with a soul deep and caring.

“It’s not the process. It’s the vision.” _ Graham Nash

2017 Dates: 26-28 October / Javits Conventions Center, NYC / photoplusexpo.com

© Renay Elle Morris
© Renay Elle Morris
© Renay Elle Morris
© Renay Elle Morris
Nash and Seliger on stage © Renay Elle Morris
© Graham Nash / Joni Mitchell
© Graham Nash / Joni Mitchell

Born 1977 in Baia Mare, Romania. Lives and works in Cluj and Berlin.

Graduated in 2001 from The University of Art and Design, Cluj. In 2015 he represented Romania at the 56th International Art Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia. In 2005, he co-founded Galeria Plan B in Cluj, together with Mihai Pop, a production and exhibition space for contemporary art. In 2008 Plan B opened a permanent exhibition space in Berlin. His work has been widely exhibited in group and solo exhibitions, including at Tate Liverpool, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi in Florence.

Dr. Josef, 2011, oil on canvas, 60 x 50 cm
Flight into Egypt, 2008, oil on canvas, 120 x 213 cm
Nickelodeon, 2008, oil and acrylic on canvas, 230 x 420 cm
Pie Fight Study 2, 2008, oil on canvas, 55 x 59 cm
Turning Point 1, 2009, oil on canvas, 150 x 300 cm
Starry Night, 2013, oil on canvas, 225 x 200 cm
The Collector, 2008, oil on canvas, 200 x 290 cm
The Devil, 2010, oil on canvas, 205 x 230 cm
Vincent van Gogh as Old, 2014, oil on canvas, 42 x 29 cm
The Collector 2, 2008, oil on canvas, 200 x 300 cm

Peter Pincus, 'Urn', 2015, Wexler Gallery

Kendell Geers, 'Wretched of the Earth 48', 2014-2016, ADN

Born 1974

Lives in Berlin and Cluj, Romania

PuzzledDAD series (2), 2015 Acrylic, oil and ink on linen 36 x 48 inches (91.4 x 121.9 cm)
PuzzledDAD series (5), 2016 Oil and acrylic on linen 36 x 48 inches (91.4 x 121.9 cm)

I was following Matte’s art since 2009, and I have to say I am still amazed and amused every time he’s showing a new painting. They have all the jazz and coffee, and you can admire a few selections right here: